JP2019508289A - Joining apparatus and method for joining strips to form tire components - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bonding device for bonding the end of a first strip to the tip of a second strip to form a tire component, the bonding device comprising a support member having a support surface, and a second strip. A holding member having a holding surface for holding the holding device, the bonding device being configured to position the tip of the second strip in a bonding orientation such that the above mentioned tip is closer to the support plane than the rest The bonding apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling the relative movement between the support member and the holding member, the relative movement comprising a first component of the arrangement direction for arranging the tip of the second strip, And a second component in the bonding direction for contacting the end of the second strip to the end of the first strip. S

Description

  The present invention relates to bonding apparatus and methods for bonding strips to form tire components.

  WO 2011/099 846 discloses a method of manufacturing a tire with seamed strips, in which the first strip is cut and the strips are placed on the discharge conveyor. After cutting the first strip, the second strip is cut and placed on the discharge conveyor. Thereafter, the first strip and the second strip are spliced together. Between the first strip being cut and the second strip being placed on the discharge conveyor, the second strip is held above the discharge conveyor and the first strip end and the first The projected separation distance between the end of the second strip and the end of the strip is measured, and based on the measured separation, the end of the first strip is relative to the second strip The first strip is placed relative to the second strip so as to be placed in the desired position, and then the second strip is placed on the discharge conveyor.

  The aforementioned method makes it possible to exactly bond the first strip to the second strip in the transport direction of the discharge conveyor. However, it is inevitable that tolerances build up between the discharge conveyor and the grippers that hold the second strip. It is not uncommon for the buildup of tolerances to rise to 0.5 mm in the height direction. With some strips that are only a few tenths of a millimeter tall, such tolerance buildup is unacceptable. Furthermore, if the strips are joined at a so-called “velled splice”, the offset of the second strip overlapping the first strip on the discharge conveyor is, for example, at the junction as shown in FIG. Sharp edges can cause protrusion of the surface of the strip. The aforementioned protruding edge may deform the subsequent tire layer applied to the aforementioned surface.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a bonding apparatus and method for bonding strips to form a tire component, whereby the quality of bonding can be improved.

International Publication No. 2011/0099846

  According to a first aspect, the invention provides a joining device for joining the end of a first strip to the tip of a second strip to form a tire component, the joining device comprising: A support member having a support surface for supporting the first and second strips at a first strip position and a second strip position, respectively, on opposite sides of the bond line in the support plane; And a holding member holding the second strip in a holding plane extending above the support plane in the two strip positions, the holding member having a holding surface, the tip projecting from the holding member being the holding plane and A second strip is configured to hold the second strip in the holding plane in a direction of the parallel protrusion, over the first protrusion distance and towards the first strip position; The lip tip is configured to be positioned in a mating orientation such that the tip is closer to the support plane than the rest of the second strip, and the mating device provides relative movement between the support member and the retention member. A control unit having a control unit, wherein the relative movement comprises a first component of the arrangement direction, perpendicular to the support plane, for arranging the tip of the second strip in the joint orientation in contact with the support plane; And the second component of the bonding direction parallel to the support plane, in a direction transverse to the bonding line, bringing the tip of the strip into the bonding orientation and in contact with the end of the first strip.

  The inclined contact of the tips of the second strip results in the aforementioned tips being deformed and / or deflected relative to the rest of the second strip held on the holding member by the aforementioned support surfaces. In particular, the aforementioned tip can be bent upwards slightly towards the top of the first strip. The retaining member can thus abut against the support surface the aforementioned tip without tolerance, as a result of which the joining of the tip at the projecting tip of the second strip is independent to the retaining member And / or can be performed substantially without tolerance. As a result, the second strip can be brought closer to or flush with the top surface of the first strip, even though the retaining members are at different heights due to tolerance build up.

  In a preferred embodiment, the bonding device comprises a deflecting member which deflects the tip of the second strip towards the support member relative to the rest of the second strip. The deflecting member ensures that the tip of the second strip is the only part of the second strip that is initially in contact with the support member and freed from the holding member and the tolerances associated with the holding member .

  In another embodiment, the deflection member can be displaced in a deflection direction transverse or perpendicular to the holding plane to a deflected position, the deflection member being at least partially from the holding plane towards the support plane Protruding. By having the deflecting member project towards, through, or out of the holding plane, the deflecting member can deflect the tip away from its original position in the aforementioned holding plane.

  Preferably, the deflection member is biased to move to the deflection position, and the deflection member is moved against the bias in the reverse direction opposite to the deflection direction to be flush with the deflection member It is placed flush with or nearly flush with the plane. Unlike a rigidly mounted or actively driven deflecting member, biasing the deflecting member causes the deflecting member to move rearward when a pressure sufficient to press the tip against the support member is applied. It is possible to move to Therefore, the tip is not unnecessarily deformed or compressed between the deflection member and the support member.

  Alternatively, the bonding device comprises a deflection actuator operatively connected to the deflection member to actively drive the movement of the deflection member in the deflection direction. The deflection actuator allows precise control of the position of the deflection member.

  In another preferred embodiment, the retention plane is configured to extend parallel or nearly parallel to the support plane when the tip of the second strip is in the mating orientation. Therefore, the tip of the second strip can be made to extend below the holding plane while the remaining part of the second strip is held by the holding member in the holding plane parallel to or substantially parallel to the support plane. In other words, apart from the tip, the entire second strip is at a constant or approximately constant distance from the support plane.

  Alternatively, the holding member can be arranged at an inclined bonding position, in which the holding plane extends at a bonding angle which is inclined with respect to the support plane, and which is inclined down towards the bonding line. In this alternative embodiment, the inclined orientation brings the tip of the second strip closer to the support plane than the rest of the second strip.

  Preferably, the control unit first controls the relative movement in the placement direction so as to place the tip of the second strip in the bonding orientation in contact with the support plane, and then the bonding orientation of the tip of the second strip To control the relative movement in the bonding direction so as to contact the end of the first strip. Thus, firstly, the tip of the second strip can be deflected relative to the support plane so that it can be aligned with the first strip without tolerance build-up, only then the first strip And the second strip close.

  If the holding plane extends at an inclined bonding angle, the control unit simultaneously moves the relative movement in the arrangement direction and the bonding direction so as to move the holding member along the inclined bonding path at the inclined bonding angle. Configured to control. Thus, the gap between the first strip and the second strip can be closed in the direction of the aforementioned inclined bonding angle.

  Preferably, the bonding angle is in the range 2 to 6 degrees, preferably 2 to 5 degrees, most preferably 3 to 4 degrees. The aforementioned joint angles have been found to be optimal for obtaining deformation at the tip of the second strip, regardless of, or substantially independently of, the build up of tolerances.

  Again, when the retention plane is at an angled attachment angle, the retention member in the attachment position is the support plane at the minimum height selected to bring the second strip into contact with the support surface. It is preferred to be separated from Thus, the triangular relationship between the inclined bonding angle, the first protrusion distance and the minimum height is such that the second strip contacts the support surface when the retaining member is in the bonding position. Is selected.

  In addition, when the holding plane is at a bonding angle inclined at the bonding position, the holding member is preferably movable from the bonding position to the placement position, and the holding plane is parallel to the support plane at the placement position. Or approximately parallel. Therefore, the tip of the second strip can be brought into contact with the end of the first strip simply by moving the holding member from the joining position to the placing position.

  In that embodiment, the control unit is configured to move the retaining member from the joining position to the placing position only after the tip of the second strip contacts the end of the first strip. When the tip contacts the end, the two ends are unlikely to move relative to one another. Therefore, the movement from the bonding position to the placement position does not affect the quality of the bonding.

  In another embodiment, the complementary slanted end surfaces of the end of the first strip and the tip of the second strip extend at the same or approximately the same tilt angle with respect to the support plane and the holding plane, respectively. The relative movement between the retaining member and the support member causes the tip to be deflected relative to the support surface over the first protruding distance, with the inclined end faces of the first strip and the second strip parallel, Or configured to have a substantially parallel junction orientation. Thus, the second strip can be in the same orientation as the first strip.

  In the preferred embodiment, the second strip has an upper surface, and the inclined end face intersects with the upper surface to form a leading edge, and the holding member holds the second strip and the leading edge has a first projecting distance. The holding member is configured to be held so as to protrude in the protruding direction from the holding member. Thus, the tip edge projects farthest from the holding member.

  In another embodiment, the second strip has a lower surface, and the inclined end face intersects the lower surface to form a recessed edge, and the holding member forms a second strip, the recessed edge having a second projecting distance The holding member is configured to be held so as to protrude in the protruding direction from the holding member. Thus, the aforementioned concave edge on the lower surface can be deflected by contacting the support surface at a position at a second projecting distance from the holding member. The normal force that the support surface exerts on the second strip may act at the position of the aforementioned recessed edge where the tip is not held and / or already protrudes freely from the holding member. Thus, the tip can be more easily deflected and deformed towards the first strip.

  Usually, it is preferred that the first projection distance is at least 2 millimeters, preferably at least 5 millimeters, most preferably at least 10 millimeters. As a trend in the tire manufacturing industry, the strips used in body plies are becoming thinner and thinner. Body plies less than 1 mm thick are not uncommon. The aforementioned projecting distance is sufficient to allow the aforementioned leading end of the second strip to be deformed relative to the rest of the second strip held by the holding member.

  Referring to the embodiment introducing the second protrusion distance, the second protrusion distance is preferably at least 1 millimeter, preferably at least 3 millimeters, more preferably at least 7 millimeters. By having such a protruding distance, the leading end of the second strip is relative to the rest of the second strip held by the holding member so as to be deflected and / or deformed in contact with the support plane in the arrangement direction. To ensure that it has sufficient flexibility.

  Usually, it is preferable that the support member is either movable in the joining direction with respect to the holding member or that the holding member is movable in the joining direction with respect to the support member. Thus, only one of the holding member and the support member need only be movable, and the other may remain in the same position when closing the gap between the first strip and the second strip .

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method of joining the end of a first strip to the tip of a second strip to form a tire component, the method comprising
Providing a support member having a support surface to support the first strip at a first strip position, one side of the bond line in the support plane,
Providing a holding member having a holding surface, and holding the second strip at the aforementioned holding surface in a holding plane opposite the bond line, in a holding plane extending above the second strip position And the second strip is held on the holding surface with the tip projecting from the holding member facing the first strip position over a first protruding distance in a protruding direction parallel to the holding plane Steps, and
Positioning the tips of the second strip in a bonding orientation, wherein the aforementioned tips are closer to the support plane than the rest of the second strips;
-Controlling the relative movement between the support member and the holding member, wherein the relative movement is perpendicular to the support plane for positioning the tip of the second strip in a mating orientation in contact with the support plane Bonding the first component of the placement direction and the tip of the second strip in contact orientation with the end of the first strip, transverse to the bond line, parallel to the support plane, bond direction And controlling the second component.

  The method, and embodiments thereof, relate to the actual implementation of the technical features as described above with respect to the bonding apparatus. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the advantages of this method, and its embodiments correspond to the advantages of bonding devices, and their respective embodiments. The advantages will not be repeated hereinafter for the sake of brevity.

  In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the step of deflecting the tip of the second strip towards the support member with respect to the remainder of the second strip.

  In another embodiment, the retention plane is arranged to extend parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane when the tips of the second strips are in the mating orientation.

  Preferably, the relative movement is first controlled in the placement direction so as to place the tip of the second strip in the bonding orientation in contact with the support plane, and then the tip of the second strip is in the bonding orientation, The bonding direction is controlled to be in contact with the end of one strip.

  In an alternative embodiment, the retaining member is arranged at an inclined bonding position, in which the holding plane extends at a bonding angle which is inclined with respect to the support plane, and which is inclined down towards the bonding line.

  In the preferred embodiment, the relative movement is simultaneously controlled in the placement direction and in the bonding direction so as to move the holding member along the inclined bonding path at the inclined bonding angle.

  The various aspects and features described and illustrated herein apply as far as possible, individually. Such individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the appended dependent claims, may be the subject of a divisional patent application.

  The invention will be described on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, which is shown in the attached schematic drawing.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the joining device in the steps of the method of joining strips to form a tire component according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a side view of the joining device in another step of the method of joining the strips to form a tire component according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows a side view of the joining device in yet another step of the method of joining the strips to form a tire component according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows a side view of the joining device in yet another step of the method of joining the strips to form a tire component according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows a side view of an alternative joining device in an alternative method step of joining strips to form a tire component according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a side view of an alternative joining device in another step of the alternative method of joining strips to form a tire component according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows a side view of the bonding device according to Figures 1 to 4; FIG. 10 shows a side view of another alternative joining device in another alternative method step of joining strips to form a tire component according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a side view of another alternative joining device in the next step of another alternative method of joining strips to form a tire component according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a side view of another alternative joining device in the next step of another alternative method of joining strips to form a tire component according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a side view of another alternative joining device in a further next step of another alternative of joining the strips to form a tire component according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows a side view of the joining device according to FIGS. 8-11 in another alternative way of joining the strips to form a tire component according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 12 shows another side view of the joining device according to FIGS. 8-11 in another alternative way of joining the strips to form a tire component according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 12 shows a side view of the joining device according to FIGS. 8-11 in a step of another alternative method of joining strips to form a tire component according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows a side view of the joining device according to FIGS. 8-11 in the next step of another alternative method of joining strips to form a tire component according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows a side view of the joining device according to FIGS. 8-11 in the next step of another alternative method of joining strips to form a tire component according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows a side view of the bonding device according to FIGS. 8 to 11 in a further next step of another alternative method of bonding strips to form a tire component according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 shows a sloped splice that is the result of a conventional bonding method. Fig. 6 shows a bevel splice that is the result of a bonding method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  1 to 4 show steps of a method of joining, pressing or joining a first strip 1 to a second strip 2 to form a tire component according to a first embodiment of the present invention, 1 shows a bonding device 3 according to the invention.

  The tire component is preferably a green ply or a breaker ply for constructing an unvulcanized tire or a body ply. The first strip 1 has a strip body 10 having an upper surface 11, a lower surface 12, an end 13 and an inclined end surface 14 which intersects the lower surface 12 at a first inclination angle B1 to form a tip edge 15. Including. The second strip 2 intersects the upper surface 21 and the lower surface 22 at the upper surface 21, the lower surface 22, the tip 23 and the second inclination angle B 2 to form the tip edge 25 and the recessed edge 26 respectively. And a strip body 20 having an inclined end face 24. The inclination angles B1 and B2 of the strips 1 and 2 are the same or substantially the same. The strip bodies 10, 20 are made of normally unvulcanized, green and / or readily adherent, tacky elastomeric material. In the case of the breaker ply, the strips 1, 2 contain embedded reinforcement cords, preferably steel reinforcement cords. The joining device 3 joins, presses or joins the end 13 of the first strip 1 to the tip 23 of the second strip 2 at the respective beveled end faces 14, 24, so as to form a so-called "tilt joint". Configured as.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bonding apparatus 3 includes a first strip 1 and a second strip 2 in the support plane S at a first strip position P1 at both sides of the bonding line L, and a second strip position P1. It comprises a support member 4 such as a pedestal or a conveyor having a support surface 40, preferably a flat support surface 40, for respectively supporting at the strip position P2. The bonding device 3 has a holding surface 50, preferably a flat holding surface 50, for holding the second strip 2 at a second strip position P2 in a holding plane R extending above the support plane S. It further comprises a holding member 5 such as a gripper or another suitable manipulator. The holding member 5 comprises a holding part 51, preferably in the form of a vacuum holding part or a magnetic holding part, for holding the second strip 2 on the holding surface 50. The bonding device 3 is configured to position the tips 23 of the second strip 2 in the bonding orientation, as shown in FIG. 1, said tips 23 being second as described in more detail below. It approaches the support plane S more than the rest of the strip 2.

  The holding member 5 is positioned relative to the support member 4 via one or a series of mechanical parts (not shown), for example mechanical guide devices, mechanical arms, segments of a robotic manipulator. In the positioning of the holding member 5 relative to the support member 4, a mechanical buildup inevitably occurs as a result of tolerance buildup. The accumulation of the aforementioned tolerances is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 as a positive or negative tolerance T with respect to the minimum height H of the holding plane R above the support plane S.

  In order to counteract the tolerance buildup T, the joining device 3 comprises a deflection member 7 which deflects the tip 23 of the second strip 2 towards the support member 4 with respect to the remainder of the second strip 2. The deflection member can be displaced in a deflection direction F transverse to or perpendicular to the holding plane R, as shown in FIG. It projects at least partially towards the support plane S downwards more than that. In this first embodiment of the invention, the deflecting member 7 is biased by means of a biasing member 8, such as a spring or resilient abutment part, as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the deflecting member 7 moves against the bias in the reverse direction opposite to the deflecting direction F and becomes flush with it, and the deflecting member 7 is flush with the holding plane R. Or nearly coplanar.

  By deflecting the tip 23 of the second strip 2, the tip 23 is closer to the support plane S than the rest of the second strip 2. When the deflected tip 23 of the second strip 2 is subsequently placed on the support surface 40 of the support plane S, as shown in FIG. 2, the tip 23 is at least partially at least partially of the first strip 1. It is deflected again to align with the end 13. Above the support plane S, unlike the remainder of the second strip 2 which is still held by the holding member 5, the tip 23 reliably and accurately in the support plane S regardless of the tolerance buildup of the holding member 5. Will be placed.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bonding device 3 is a movable fixing device which pushes down the end 13 of the first strip 1 and / or fixes its position with respect to the support surface 40 of the support member 4 You may provide nine. The locking device 9 is shown in the release position in FIG. 1 and in the locking position in FIG. Depending on whether the fastening device 9 is supported independently or on the holding member 5, the fastening device 9 may only be used to push down the first strip 1, while The fixing device 9 may move above the first strip 9 in a direction parallel to the bonding direction J.

  The bonding device 3 is configured to provide a relative movement M between the support member 4 and the holding member 5. The relative movement M comprises a first component M1 and a second strip of the arrangement direction K perpendicular to the support plane S for arranging the tip 23 of the second strip 2 in a joining orientation in contact with the support plane S. And a second component M2 in a bonding direction L inclined to the bonding line L or in a bonding direction J in the lateral direction for bringing the two tips 23 into a bonding orientation and contacting with the end 13 of the first strip 1 .

  In this exemplary embodiment, the bonding direction J is parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane S. The arrangement direction K is perpendicular to the support plane S. The first component M1 and the second component M2 of the relative movement M move the holding member 5 relative to the holding member 5, for example, by moving the supporting member 4 or moving the holding member 5 relative to the supporting member 4 Can be provided by

  The bonding device 3 operates and / or electronically the support member 4 and / or the holding member to control the components M1 and M2 of the relative movement M described above in the bonding direction J and the arrangement direction K. It further comprises a control unit 6 coupled to 5.

  The method of joining the end 13 of the first strip 1 to the tip 23 of the second strip 2 using the joining device 3 described above will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 shows the situation in which the holding member 5 is arranged above the support plane S while holding the second strip 2. The holding member 5 is at a height relative to the support member 4 such that the second strip 2 leaves the support plane S and is above the second strip position P2. The first strip 1 is disposed on the support member 4 at a first strip position P1 opposite to the bond line L with respect to the second strip position P2. The biasing position of the biased deflection member 7 deflects the tip 23 of the second strip 2 into a bonding orientation.

  In FIG. 2, the first component M 1 of the relative movement M between the holding member 5 and the support member 4 is controlled in the arrangement direction K so that the tip 23 deflected is the support surface 40 of the support member 4. It shows the situation after approaching, touching, and deflecting against. By deflecting relative to the support surface 40, the tip 23 of the second strip 2 is aligned with the end 13 of the first strip 1 before bonding. In particular, the inclined end faces 14, 24 of each strip 1, 2 are parallel or substantially parallel to each other and / or the lower surface 22 of the second strip 2 at the tip 23 is parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane S It should be noted that the orientation is In FIG. 2 the first strip 1 and the second strip 2 are still spaced apart.

  3 shows that the second component M2 of the relative movement M between the holding member 5 and the support member 4 in order to close the gap between the first strip 1 and the tip 23 of the second strip 2 The situation after being controlled by joining direction J is shown. The holding member 5 still holds the remaining portion of the second strip 2 above the support plane S and at a distance from the support plane S.

  FIG. 4 controls the lower surface of the second strip 2 in such a way that the remainder of the second strip 2 is placed by further providing relative movement between the holding member 5 and the support member 4 in the placement direction K. 22 shows the situation after it has been placed on the support surface 40 of the support member 4 at the support plane S. Alternatively, the second strip 2 may simply be dropped by releasing the holding function of the holding part 51.

  FIG. 7 shows the bonding device 3 in more detail according to a first embodiment of the invention. These details in no way limit the more general description of the bonding device 3 described above. As shown in FIG. 7, the deflection member 7 extends from the body 70 towards the retention member 5 in order to minimize the distance between the body 70 as well as the deflection member 7 and the holding part 51. May be provided. In particular, the unretained part of the second strip 2 between the retaining part 51 and the deflecting member 7 needs to be kept to a minimum. For this purpose, in order to receive and / or receive the extension 71 of the deflection member 7 as close as possible to the holding part 51, the holding member 5 is preferably also provided with a recess 52. In this exemplary embodiment, the side of the deflection member 7 facing away from the holding member 5 comprises a curvature 72, at least a part of the tip 23 of the second strip 2 being supported by the aforementioned tip 23 When it contacts the surface, it can be deflected upward again.

  FIG. 7 further shows the biasing member 8 as a resiliently compressible point contact 80, such as via a ball or bushing, as an alternative to the spring 8 schematically illustrated in FIGS. The biasing member 8 is preferably supported by or attached to the holding member 5. Therefore, the biasing member 8 is configured to bias the deflecting member 7 against the holding member 5.

  FIG. 7 further shows that the fixing device 9 is configured to be supported by or attached to the holding member 5 and to move with the holding member 5 in the joining direction J. The fastening device 9 has a slightly convex contact surface 90 so as to make minimal contact with the first strip. The contact surface should be minimized so that it can slide on the first strip with minimal friction as the contact surface 90 moves with the holding member 5.

  In FIG. 7 it is further shown that the resulting deflection over the angle A and the overhang distances D1, D2 is minimized. In practice, strips 1 and 2 are only a few tenths of a millimeter thick and the deflection is very small, such as less than 1 millimeter, while keeping the rest of the second strip 2 away from the aforementioned support surface. This is sufficient to ensure that the tip 23 of the strip 2 contacts the support surface. Thus, the deflections of FIGS. 1-4 are merely exaggerated to illustrate the effect of the present invention, and FIG. 7 shows a more realistic impression of the actual deflections.

  5 and 6 show an alternative bonding device 103 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The alternative bonding device 103 differs from the previously described bonding device 3 in that the deflection member 107 is actively controlled. More specifically, the alternative bonding device 103 is for actively driving the deflection member 107 to move in the deflection direction F between the flush position of FIG. 5 and the deflection position of FIG. , An alternative deflection actuator 108 operatively coupled to the deflection member 107.

  8-11 show another alternative bonding device 203 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Another alternative bonding device 203 differs from the previously described bonding devices 1, 103 in that it comprises an alternative holding member 205 without deflection members. Instead, the tip 23 of the second strip 2 can freely project in the projection direction E from the alternative holding member 205 over the first projection distance D1. An alternative holding member 205 can be placed in the joining position, as shown in FIG. 8, and the holding plane R extends above the second strip position P2 and the joining angle A is oblique to the support plane S. And slope downward toward the junction line L or descend downward. The bonding angle A is somewhat exaggerated in the drawings to clearly show the invention. In practice, the bonding angle A is preferably in the range of 2 to 6 degrees, preferably 2 to 5 degrees, most preferably 3 to 4 degrees. Since the alternative retaining member 205 is spaced from the bonding line L, there is still a gap between the end 13 of the first strip 1 and the tip 23 of the second strip 2 in the bonding direction J . The alternative retaining member 205 is sufficiently spaced from the support surface 40 in the placement direction K so that the second strip 2 is released, spaced and / or not in contact with the aforementioned support surface 40 Ru.

  The first protruding distance D1 measured from the leading edge 25 to the alternative retaining member 205 is preferably at least 2 millimeters, more preferably at least 5 millimeters, and most preferably at least 10 millimeters. The freely extending part of the second strip 2 can be deformed over a first protruding distance D1 with respect to the rest of the second strip 2 held on the alternative holding member 205.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the freely protruding tip 23 of the second strip 2 can be further defined by a recessed edge 26 on the lower surface 22, the recessed edge 26 in the aforementioned projecting direction E, Or, parallel to this, it protrudes from the alternative holding member 205 for a second protruding distance D2. The second projection distance D2 is preferably at least 1 millimeter, more preferably at least 3 millimeters, and most preferably at least 7 millimeters.

  FIG. 9 shows the situation where the alternative retaining member 205 is lowered in the direction of placement K so that the position of the lower part of the alternative retaining member 205 is spaced from the support surface 40 at the selected minimum height H. . Preferably, the minimum height H is equal to or approximately equal to the height of the strips 1, 2. The aforementioned heights may be obtained by automatic measurement of the thickness of one of the strips 1, 2 or by manual input into the control unit 6. At the aforementioned minimum height H, the freely projecting tip 23 of the second strip 2 is directed towards the support surface 40, on the support surface 40 and / or along the support surface 40 at an inclined bonding angle A. Stand out. In particular, the contact of the second strip 2 with the support surface 40 causes the aforementioned tip 23 to be deflected relative to the support surface 40 by a first projecting distance D 1, so that the first strip 1 and the second strip The two inclined end faces 14, 24 can be in parallel or nearly parallel orientation.

  In other words, the alternative retaining member 205 is such that the recessed edge 26 on the lower surface 22 of the second strip 2 contacts the support surface 40 at a second protruding distance D2 from the alternative retaining member 205 It is configured to hold the protruding tip 23 at the inclined bonding angle A in a manner as described above. By said contact, the freely projecting tip 23 of the second strip 2 is deformed and / or deflected on the support surface 40 and aligned with the first strip 1 and / or the first strip 1 Head to the top 11 of the Thus, the top edge 11 of the second strip 2 is aligned with the top surface 11 of the first strip 1 independently of the minimum height H defined by the alternative retaining member 205. Or placed flush with the top surface 11. As a result, the freely protruding tip 23 of the second strip 2 is not subject to the tolerance T at the minimum height H of the alternative holding member 205.

  The first projection distance D1 and / or the second projection distance D2 may be preset or manually input to the control unit 6, so that the movement of the alternative holding member 205 is previously It may be configured to take into account the set first protrusion distance D1 and / or the second protrusion distance D2.

  FIG. 10 illustrates the relative movement between the support member 4 and the alternative holding member 205 such that the tip 23 of the second strip 2 is brought into contact with the end 13 of the first strip 1 at an inclined joining angle A. Shows the situation provided in the joining direction J. During relative movement, the alternative retaining member 205 is maintained in the bonding position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The control unit 6 is such that the alternative holding member 205 in the holding plane R is a distance (for example, a few millimeters smaller) slightly smaller than the first protrusion distance D1 or a first protrusion distance D1. The support member 4 and the alternative holding member 205 are configured to move each other in the joining direction J. The adhesive material of the strip body 20 at the tip 23 of the second strip 2 is adhered to the adhesive material of the strip body 10 at the end 13 of the first strip 1 at the aforementioned tip edge 25.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the free end 23 of the second strip 2 is deformed, the inclined end face 24 of the second strip 2 in FIG. It is pressed against the inclined end face 14 of the first strip 1 so as to be substantially parallel. The adhesive material of the strip body 20 at the tip 23 of the second strip 2 is adhered to the adhesive material of the strip body 10 at the end 13 of the first strip 1 at the aforementioned tip edge 25. As shown in FIG. 10 and shown in more detail in FIG. 19, the leading edge 25 of the second strip 2 approaches the top surface 11 of the first strip 1 as compared to the prior art situation shown in FIG. Or placed flush with the top surface 11. The difference in height remaining in the strips 1, 2 is now smooth and / or without abrupt changes. In particular, unlike the prior art “tilt joint” of FIG. 18, there is no sharpened tip edge 25 projecting above the first strip 1.

  FIG. 11 shows the situation in which the alternative holding member 205 is moved from the joining position into the arranged position in which the holding plane R extends parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane S. The control unit 6 is configured to move the alternative holding member 205 only after the leading edge 25 of the second strip 2 has been moved into contact with the end 13 of the first strip 1 in FIG. Ru.

  Alternatively, the second strip 2 may simply be released from the alternative retaining member 205 in the joining position shown in FIG. 10, whereby the second strip 2 can be removed from the alternative retaining member 205 from the support member 4. Fall under the influence of gravity on the support surface 40 of the The advantage of dropping is that the alternative retaining member 205 may remain at the same bonding location throughout the method steps. When the distance to the support surface 40 is relatively short, for example, a few millimeters, the drop does not adversely affect the quality of the bond.

  12 and 13 show another alternative bonding device 203 according to FIGS. 8-11 in an alternative method step according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

  In the method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the relative movement between the support member 4 and the alternative holding member 205 moves the alternative holding member 205 toward the first strip position P1 in the support plane. The only difference from the method described above is that it is achieved by moving with a relative movement M along the bonding path G at a bonding angle A inclined to S. Therefore, the alternative holding member 205 is simultaneously moved with the first component M1 in the joining direction J and the second component M2 in the arrangement direction K. As shown in FIG. 13, the alternative retaining member 205 is moved along the inclined bonding path G to the same position as in FIG. The bonding method can then be completed in the same manner as shown in FIG.

  14 to 17 again show another alternative bonding device 203 according to FIGS. 8 to 11 in another alternative method step according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

  In the method according to the fifth embodiment, another alternative bonding device 203 has straight end surfaces 114, 124 extending in a direction perpendicular to the upper surfaces 111, 121 and / or the lower surfaces 112, 122 respectively. Only the point used for joining, pressing or joining the first strip 101 and the second strip 102 differs from the method described above. Thus, rather than forming so-called "tilt joints" as shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, the method according to the third embodiment of the present invention forms so-called "butt joints". Similar to the embodiment described above, the method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention projects the joining angle A of the alternative holding member 205 inclined to the support plane S and from the alternative holding member 205 Providing a tip 123 projecting over a distance D, which causes the tip 123 of the second strip 102 to deform and / or deflect on the support surface 40 in substantially the same way as the previous embodiment Enough distance for In particular, the straight end faces 114, 124 are configured to be parallel or nearly parallel at the bond line L. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that the same bonding is also obtained by the use of the bonding device 3, 103 of FIGS.

  Thus, as shown in FIGS. 14-17, the same effect can be achieved using bonding apparatus 3, 103, 203 of FIGS. 1-13 to bond alternative strips 101, 102. it can.

  It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. From the foregoing description, many variations that are further encompassed within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

  In summary, the invention relates to a bonding device for bonding the end of a first strip to the tip of a second strip to form a tire component, the bonding device comprising a support member having a support surface, And a holding member having a holding surface for holding the two strips, and the joining device is positioned to position the leading end of the second strip in a joining orientation in which the aforementioned leading end is closer to the support plane than the rest. The bonding apparatus comprises a control unit for controlling the relative movement between the support member and the holding member, the relative movement being a first of the arrangement directions for arranging the tip of the second strip. A component and a second component in the bonding direction for contacting the end of the second strip to the end of the first strip.

Claims (25)

Bonding device (3, 103) for bonding the end (13, 113) of the first strip (1, 101) to the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) to form a tire component , 203),
The bonding device (3, 103, 203) is configured such that the first strip (1, 101) and the second strip (2, 102) are on opposite sides of the bonding line (L) in the support plane (S) A support member (4) having support surfaces (40) for supporting at a first strip position (P1) and a second strip position (P2) respectively, and said support plane (P1) at said second strip position (P1) A holding member (5, 205) having a holding surface (50) for holding said second strip (2, 102) in a holding plane (R) extending above S), said holding member (5, 205) Is the first projecting distance (D1) in the projecting direction (E) in which the tip end (23, 123) projecting from the holding member (5, 205) is parallel to the holding plane (R). Strip position Said joining device (3, 103, 203) is configured to hold said second strip (2, 102) in said holding plane (R) in a state towards P1), said second strip (2) , 102) in a joining orientation in which the tips (23, 123) are closer to the support plane (S) than the rest of the second strip (2, 102). The bonding device (3, 103, 203) comprises a control unit (6) for controlling the relative movement (M) between the support member (4) and the holding member (5, 205). Said relative movement (M) comprises positioning said support plane (S) for positioning said tips (23, 123) of said second strip (2, 102) in said bonding orientation in contact with said support plane (S). S) Orientation direction perpendicular to (K) The termination (13, 113) of the first strip (1, 101) with the first component (M1) and the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) in the bonding orientation. And a second component (M2) of a bonding direction (J) transverse to the bonding line (L) to be brought into contact with and parallel to the support plane (S). 203). The joining device directs the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) to the support member (4) with respect to the remainder of the second strip (2, 102). The bonding apparatus (3, 103) according to claim 1, comprising a deflecting member (7, 107) for deflecting. The deflection member (7, 107) can be displaced in a deflection direction (F) transverse or perpendicular to the holding plane (R) to a deflection position, the deflection member (7, 107) The bonding device (3, 103) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one part projects from the holding plane (R) towards the support plane (S). The deflection member (7) is biased to move to the deflection position, and the deflection member (7) moves against the bias in the reverse direction opposite to the deflection direction (F). The bonding apparatus (3) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the deflecting members (7) are flush with or substantially flush with the holding plane (R). A deflection actuator (103) operatively coupled to the deflection member (107) for actively driving the movement of the deflection member (107) in the deflection direction (F). The bonding apparatus (103) according to claim 3, comprising: 108). When the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) is in the bonding orientation, the holding plane (R) is parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane (S) The bonding device (3, 103) according to any of the preceding claims, configured to extend in parallel. The holding member (205) is inclined such that the holding plane (R) extends at a joining angle (A) inclined with respect to the support plane (S) and is inclined downward toward the joining line (L) The bonding apparatus (203) according to claim 1, which can be disposed at a bonding position. The relative movement such that the control unit (6) first places the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) in the bonding orientation in contact with the support plane (S) (M) is controlled in the placement direction (K), and then the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) is in the bonding orientation to form the first strip (1,. The junction according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the relative movement (M) is controlled in the joining direction (J) to be brought into contact with the end (13, 113) of 101). Device (3, 103, 203). The relative movement (M) in the arrangement direction (M) such that the control unit (6) moves the holding member (205) along the inclined joint path at the inclined joint angle (A). The bonding apparatus (203) according to claim 7, configured to simultaneously control K) and the bonding direction (J). The bonding apparatus (203) according to claim 7, wherein the bonding angle (A) is in the range of 2 to 6 degrees, preferably 2 to 5 degrees, and most preferably 3 to 4 degrees. The support plane (H) at which the holding member (205) in the joining position is selected such that the second strip (2) contacts the support surface (S). The bonding device (203) according to claim 7, being spaced from S). The holding member (205) is movable from the joining position to an arrangement position, and the holding plane (R) extends parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane (S) in the arrangement position. The bonding device (203) according to Item 7. The retaining member (205) only after the control unit (6) contacts the end (23) of the second strip (2) with the end (13) of the first strip (1). 13. The bonding apparatus (203) according to claim 12, wherein the bonding apparatus (203) is configured to move from the bonding position to the placement position. The end (13) of the first strip (1) and the tip (23) of the second strip (2) are with respect to the support plane (S) and the holding plane (R) A complementary inclined end surface (14, 24), each extending at the same or substantially the same inclination angle (B1, B2), between the holding member (5, 205) and the support member (4) Said relative movement (M) causes said tip (23, 123) to be deflected relative to said support surface (40) over said first protruding distance (D1), said first strip (1), and The bonding apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inclined end faces (14, 24) with the second strip (2) are arranged in parallel or substantially parallel joint orientations. (3, 103, 203). The second strip (2) has an upper surface (11), the inclined end surface (14) intersects the upper surface (11) to form a leading edge (15), and the holding member (5, 205) ) Projects the second strip (2) and the leading edge (15) from the holding member (5, 205) in the projecting direction (E) over the first projecting distance (D1) The bonding apparatus (3, 103, 203) according to claim 14, wherein the bonding apparatus is configured to be held in the closed state. The second strip (2) has a lower surface (22), the inclined end surface (24) intersects the lower surface (22) to form a recessed edge (26), and the holding member (5; 205) project the second strip (2) and the recessed edge (26) from the retaining member (5, 205) in the projecting direction (E) over a second projecting distance (D2) The bonding apparatus (3, 103, 203) according to claim 15, wherein the bonding apparatus is configured to be held. The bonding apparatus (3, 103, 203) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first protruding distance (D1) is at least 2 millimeters, preferably at least 5 millimeters, most preferably at least 10 millimeters. ). The bonding device (3, 103, 203) according to claim 16, wherein the second projection distance (D2) is at least 1 millimeter, preferably at least 3 millimeters, more preferably at least 7 millimeters. The support member (4) is movable relative to the holding member (5, 205) in the joining direction (J), or the holding member (5, 205) is relative to the support member (4) The bonding apparatus (3, 103, 203) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the bonding apparatus is movable in the bonding direction (J). A method of joining a terminal end (13, 113) of a first strip (1, 101) to an end (23, 123) of a second strip (2, 102) to form a tire component,
Providing a support member (4) with a support surface (40), said first strip (1, 101) being on one side of the bond line (L) in the support plane (S) of said support surface (40) Supporting at a first strip position (P1);
Providing a holding member (5, 205) having a holding surface (50), the second strip (2, 102) being arranged on the support plane (S) opposite the bonding line (L) Holding at said holding surface (50) in a holding plane (R) extending above the two strip positions (P2), said second strip (2, 102) comprising said holding member (5, 5) The tip (23, 123) which projects from 205), in a direction of protrusion (E) parallel to the holding plane (R), over the first distance of protrusion (D1), in the first strip position (P1) Holding, held in the holding surface (50) in the facing state;
The tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) is closer to the support plane (S) than the rest of the second strip (2, 102) is the tip (23, 123) Positioning in an approaching bonding orientation;
Controlling the relative movement (M) between the support member (4) and the holding member (5, 205), the relative movement (M) comprising the second strip (2, 102) A first component (M1) of the arrangement direction (K) perpendicular to the support plane (S) for arranging the tip (23, 123) of the support in the bonding orientation in contact with the support plane (S); The bond line for bringing the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) into contact orientation with the end (13, 113) of the first strip (1, 101) And (d) including a second component (M2) of the bonding direction (J) parallel to said support plane (S) transversely to (L). The method deflects the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) towards the support member (4) with respect to the remainder of the second strip (2, 102) 21. The method of claim 20, comprising the step of When the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) is in the bonding orientation, the holding plane (R) is parallel or substantially parallel to the support plane (S) 22. A method according to claim 20 or 21. The holding member (205) is inclined such that the holding plane (R) extends at a joining angle (A) inclined with respect to the support plane (S) and is inclined downward toward the joining line (L) 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the method is located at a bonding position. The relative movement (M) first causes the arrangement direction to arrange the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) in the bonding orientation in contact with the support plane (S). (K), and then, with the tip (23, 123) of the second strip (2, 102) in the bonding orientation, the end (13) of the first strip (1, 101) , 113), controlled in the bonding direction (J), the method according to any of the claims 20-22. The relative movement (M) includes the arrangement direction (K) and the bonding direction (K) so as to move the holding member (205) along the inclined bonding path at the inclined bonding angle (A). A method according to claim 23, controlled simultaneously to J).

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